The maritime domain has never been more complex. The rapidly evolving security situation, particularly in the waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, means that navies, national governments, and international organizations are faced with a growing array of challenges to safety and security at sea. New risks require new responses, and solutions to these complex issues increasingly demand cooperative, collaborative, and inventive approaches.

Maritime Security Challenges (MSC) 2016, the seventh iteration of the highly-successful maritime and naval conference, will discuss the implications of emerging security concerns, as well as strategies for achieving effective solutions that incorporate a broad array of stakeholders. The conference, which will take place in Victoria from October 3–6, will continue the MSC tradition of broad inclusion and engagement in order to foster open and insightful discussion regarding the creation of robust and responsive national maritime strategies.

The conference program has been designed to cover a full range of challenges and opportunities for maritime security, starting with immediate concerns, like recent developments in international law and territorial issues, as well as more future developments, like the maritime implications of global climate change. Panel discussions will also address the difficulties that many navies are experiencing in recapitalizing their fleets, as well as potential sources of instability, like the use of paramilitary naval forces in maritime disputes, and the risks associated with an apparently resurgent Russian Federation Navy.

International cooperation is once again a major theme of the MSC event, which is being hosted by the Navy League of Canada, in association with the Royal Canadian Navy, and the United States Department of Defense’s Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. Past conferences have welcomed delegates from nearly 30 countries around the world, and the event has, over its six previous iterations, gained a reputation as a unique opportunity to learn and share perspectives amongst the global maritime community.

The MSC16 list of speakers includes a wide range of maritime experts, including practitioners, scientists, academics, and government representatives, and will feature a variety of special presentations. Notable speakers will include Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, and Admiral Scott Swift, Commander of the United States Navy Pacific Fleet.

Further information, including the conference programme and registration details, can be found on the conference website at www.mscconference.com.

espritdecorps

canadian military magazine

Esprit de Corps is a Canadian military magazine covering issues related to Army, Navy, Air Force, national defence, security and foreign policy. We also publish Canadian military history pieces and veterans news.